Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A warning we've been burnt by high hopes for economic recovery.  Stats NZ data out today puts unemployment at 5.4 percent in the December quarter.  The numbers were less severe than forecasts from Treasury, but still reflect a 10 year unemployment high.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says the talk about getting momentum back last year fell short. "For businesses, t...

Senior Labour MP Peeni Henare announced he was leaving politics yesterday, but some speculate there's more to the story than that. New Zealand First's Shane Jones has claimed that that's not the full story and it's 'important the whole story comes out'. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks these claims. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump is urging Republicans to 'nationalise' elections and repeated his false claims of 2020 election fraud. He said Republicans should take over the voting in at least '15 places', but did not specify which places in the interview.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this has prompted concerns about Trump's Government getting too involved in people's voting rights. LIST...

Former All Black Dane Coles will sit on the panel charged with finding the coach to replace Scott Robertson. New Zealand Rugby has confirmed the 90-test veteran will join a five-man panel which also includes fellow former All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu and NZR chair David Kirk. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Repairs at Wellington's Moa Point treatment plant could take months, as raw sewage flows into the region's southern coastline. An equipment failure caused the outfall pipe to become backed up with water - with last night's heavy rain flooding the building's lower floors. Wellington Water says electrical equipment's submerged and some areas are inaccessible. Chief executive Pat Dougherty says it's...

Fresh allegations have emerged linking former UK-US Ambassador Lord Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein. Newly released files suggest Mandelson shared internal Government information with the convicted sex offender.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says Met Police are investigating these claims and Prime Minister Starmer is calling for Lord Mandelson to leave the House of Lords. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu...

The Reserve Bank of Australia started the year off with an increase set to impact mortgage holders. The RBA increased the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85 percent, citing increased concerns about inflation. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explained the increase further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Further lifts at the South Island wool auction in Christchurch indicate things are going well for New Zealand's wool sector. Wool has seen some notable increases this year, indicating wool is on the up as opposed to just seeing a short-term spike. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the launch of Australia's ban on social media for under-16s, there's been debate over whether New Zealand should follow this example. Meta's Global Head of Safety, Antigone Davis, has labelled the full ban a 'fool's errand' and claims parental controls are the way to go. Former Facebook CEO for Australia and New Zealand Stephen Scheeler says parental controls are a safety feature that sh...

Tonight on The Huddle, lawyer and political commentator Brigitte Morton and CTU economist Craig Rennie joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Labour MP Peeni Henare has confirmed he won't be seeking re-election - and that he wants to take a step back from politics and focus on his family, wellbeing and future, and will depart from Parliament in the coming...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 3 February, 2026, we talk to champion driver Greg Murphy about changes to our driver licensing laws. Are parents to blame for children starting school without even being toilet trained? David Farrar tells us why it's time for New Zealand to become a seventh state of Australia. And on the Huddle, Brigitte Morten and Craig Renney d...

You know what that Labour and Green Party unity news conference at Waitangi today looked like to me? It looked like desperation. Parties don’t generally get other parties to stand next to them and hold their hands in an election year just to convince people to vote for them. Now, having said that, it’s obviously not the first time we’ve seen something similar from Labour and the Greens. You’ll rem...

Senior Labour MP Peeni Henare's announced he's leaving politics, after what he calls a 'tough' 2025.  Henare says he's not seeking re-election for Labour this year, and will leave Parliament in the coming weeks.   It comes after he lost the Tamaki Makaurau seat to Te Pati Māori for a second time in last year's by-election, a seat he'd held for six-years from 2014 to 2020.  Newstalk...

An upcoming visit by Israel's President is causing tension in Australia.   Isaac Herzog will visit New South Wales for a five day tour at the end of the week to honour victims of the Bondi terror attack.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says protests by pro-Palestinian have been banned in the state for the duration of his visit.  He says it follows other recent issues in t...

With Donald Trump's presidency creating extra challenges for the rest of the world, questions have been raised over what a small country like New Zealand can do for extra protection. Political commentator and former parliamentary staffer for the National Party David Farrar wrote an opinion piece claiming New Zealand should take up the 125-year-old invitation to become part of Australia. Farrar say...

Labour and the Greens joined forces at Waitangi today to make their priorities clear ahead of the upcoming general election. Labour leader Chris Hipkins describes the party as fractured, and says the parties need to work through their internal issues. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says there's a lot of things the parties can work together on and they'll stand side by side to prove that to...

There's fears parents aren't teaching their children basic skills like talking, eating, or using the toilet. The Auckland Primary Principals’ Association reports 87 percent of schools say children now need more support than ever before. 92 percent say new entrants don’t know the letters in their own name. Psychologist Sara Chatwin says it raises questions about what's going on at home. "And then I...

The Government says it's modernising the drivers licensing system, with the key change being the end to full license practical tests.   After passing the restricted license test, drivers under the age of 25 will have to wait out a mandatory 12-month period as a restricted driver before they can apply for a full licence.  Those aged over 25 will have to wait six months.  Kiwi motorsp...

New Zealand Rugby has approached Sir Steve Hansen and Ian Foster to gauge interest in applying for the vacant role of All Blacks head coach, the Herald understands. However, it is unclear if either would be interested in returning to the role they vacated in 2019 and 2023 respectively. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacked the odds of the pair considering this move. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudi...

Kiwis are less keen to hear offensive language in broadcasting, according to new reports. A BSA survey has found more than half of the words assessed are now seen as less acceptable in broadcasting than they were four years ago.  The N-word and the C-word were considered unacceptable by the highest percentage of people.  AUT Communication Studies lecturer Lewis Tennant says it seems that...

The former British ambassador to the US has resigned from the UK Labour Party, over his links with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The BBC reports that Lord Mandelson, who was sacked as the ambassador last year, is now stepping down from the party entirely. The latest release of Epstein files suggested Epstein transferred Mandelson more than $125,000 in 2003 and 2004. UK correspondent Mike...

Christchurch is set to re-ignite the debate over asset sales, according to new reports. The council's commercial arm has floated selling certain assets, including Citycare, to pay for other projects. Councillor Sam MacDonald explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump revealed he's picked Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve Governor, to lead the central bank. Since taking office, Donald Trump has been critical of Jerome Powell and encouraged him to lower interest rates.  Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Fire and Emergency NZ has launched an investigation into the firefighter who got caught making a crude gesture at the PM on video. Do we think this is really necessary?  Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is in the news again after the...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 2 February, 2026, the Education Minister on new reporting guidelines for schools - what it means for you as a parent. Should the firefighter who made an obscene gesture behind the back of the prime minister keep her job? We talk to teenage running sensation Sam Ruthe's grandfather about what makes him so good. And on the Huddle, T...